It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:21 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:03 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:53 am
Posts: 7
I'm sure there are some experts out there who can help me to identify a 5 string bass I have. I bought it about 15 years ago from a reputable shop in Birmingham that isn't there anymore and had no reason to believe it was anything other than what they were selling me - a vintage 5 string Fender... I loved it and I wanted it so there you go. Now I am finally thinking of selling it, I want to find it's current value and sell with confidence, so I've tried looking on line and checked out a few shops (with photos only so far) but no one seems to recognise EXACTLY what it is.....

I think it's a Mustang and the serial number - 600182 on a F engraved scracthplate tells me it's 1975. Word so far seems to be that it looks genuine but people I've spoken to have never seen/heard of a 70's 5 string Mustang?

It has 'string through body' fixing at bridge - people say genuine... Keys and controls look right - people say genuine....5 keys along top of headstock (not 4 above and 1 below) - some say doesn't look right......it's a weird one allright !

Anyway, I've got lots of photos if someone wants to get in touch - I'm new to this forum and can't see a way of attaching pics to this posting. I live in mid Wales and want to pick your brains before having to make the trip all the way to 'Vintage and Rare' in London, who seem to be most peoples advice for next stop.

Please help ...

Bobby


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:01 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:01 am
Posts: 2842
load pics to photobucket then put them on here. I'd like to see it. I know at different times Fender would make certain basses for release in the UK only. Maybe it's one of those.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:00 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:53 am
Posts: 7
Hi Stroker

Thanks for quick response.

Never used Photobucket before, but I think below is what you need...?

Thanks again - hope to hear from you soon


http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s442/robhill2/


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:28 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:07 am
Posts: 1747
Location: Central WI
I'm no expert but the logo on the headstock looks a little "suspicious" in that it looks like the name was cut out of a different decal and applied to the guitar. Unless there's a wierd reflection it looks like you can see the edges of it.

And the body looks "odd" for a Mustang, kind of stretched out or something. And again, since I'm no expert and it may be official, maybe that was done to compensate for the extra string tension?

I love my short scales so would love to try playing a 5 string shortie.

No offense intended on my opinions btw, if it plays well and is comfortable then rock on with it. I mean, one of my 3 basses is an el-cheapo SX and it rocks along with my Musicmasters! Hope you get some credible answers on here too.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:17 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:34 am
Posts: 125
Yeah, a lot of that doesn't look genuine Fender to me, either, including the headstock sticker/s, body, even the fact that it's a shortscale 5 string strikes me as odd. It could be a frankenbass with some original Fender parts.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/the321s
http://www.facebook.com/calicosounds

1983 USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe (Ivory)
2004 USA Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass (Honey Blonde)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:38 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:47 pm
Posts: 70
Believe it or not, I think that's a legit Fender Bass V from the late 60's. Unlike modern 5 strings, the 5th string is a high C rather than a Low B. The bass has fewer frets, but the extra string helps extend the upper range.

I think I remember someone mentioning on here one time that John Paul Jones used one of these a time or two.

Hopefully BrotherDave, Oxfan or one of the other resident experts will jump in to confirm/deny this...

_________________
Jaguar Bass
American Fretless Jazz
Classic 50's Precision


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:46 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
YES this is a "BASS V" and they were a legit Fender model.

"The first 5 string bass in the world!" "Fender does it again!"

They are very rarely seen these days. Even the magazines ads for them are collectible. They were made only from 1965 through 1970 and as you can tell by looking they are sort of a 5 string Mustang but with an expanded upper horn. The Mustang was Leo Fender's last "Fullerton Baby" and they were trying to get every ounce out of it. The serial plate must not be original because BASS V production stopped in 1970.

Also the ones I saw had headstocks painted to match the body with a Fender headstock logo script and then "BASS V" in large gold block letters. I think this one maybe was refinished and that is why the wrong decal is on it. It looks legit down to the knobs, bridge, pickup, headstock string retainer and tuners. It would be hard to fake all that as parts are not just scarce but darn near non-existent, especially the string retainer. The body doesn't look refinished, but the headstock does.

Wondering if maybe in this particular case if someone had a body but no neck or a neck but no body. Then found whichever they needed and the headstock was a mismatch in color to the body so they redid the headstock facing in natural. It could happen.

A couple of quirky things on these besides the short scale, the fifth string was a "C" string and not a "B" string and tight string spacing: The amp style knobs and a chrome bridge cover with an embossed "F" ala the Jazz Bass bridge cover. (The pickup cover is missing in the photo link posted in this thread.) They had a split pickup of Mustang Bass concept except there is a longer 3 string pickup for the D, G and C strings. They had a very good tone and were quite punchy.

A few famous players were known to have owned one. James Jamerson and John Paul Jones are two top players that I know for sure had a Bass V.

The BASS V did not sell very well and just never caught on. Less than 1000 were produced in the 5 year run.

"More musical magic from the mind of CBS!" When the BASS V plug was pulled Fender had a pile of Bass V bodies left over. All the surplus BASS V bodies were used to make the FENDER SWINGER (sometimes called the Fender Arrow or the Fender Musiclander) model by mating the Bass V bodies with surplus Musicmaster guitar parts. But all kidding aside the Swinger really was not a bad six string Spanish Electric at all!

I also recall that I really liked one color that I first saw on the BASS V. That was the first Fender I ever saw in Midnight Wine. It was especially stunning with the matching headstock! Despite the fact it came in some really cool colors, it just didn't sell well enough to keep the model going.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:32 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
I just thought of another possibility. It could be a neck replacement from Fender for a bad neck. They had lifetime guarantee and maybe the original neck went wacky and they didn't have any more decals. That also could have happened if it was after production ceased.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:01 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:52 am
Posts: 6
Here are the photos from the OP, Bobby Hill.

Image
Image
Image
Image

And here is a link to a thread with pictures, about a 1965 Fender ad I found in my late father-in-law's, Down Beat's Annual Guitar Issue.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/1965-f ... os-834371/

Enjoy,

JBY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:06 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:53 am
Posts: 7
Wow...!

Thank you all

especially Brother Dave for obvious STELLAR knowledge and JBY for amazing pics !

I was seriously starting to doubt what I had here and now I can move forward with some confidence. Going from the neckplate dating of 70's and headstock Colour/Decal I guess it sounds favourite that it HAS had a neck replacement post production dates, but most of it is/should be original mid to late 60's. The shop I bought it from DID call it a Fender 'Five' and also said it used to belong to the player from Hermans Hermits !! - which I'm now choosing to believe again..!

If we have possibly answered the neck question, can I date the body? Pots? I've never really taken it apart to look for other signs so where should I be looking.?

And finally... not meaning to sound like too much of a bread-head but, the point of this search was to identify and VALUE... I know we are talking ball parks and there are lots of variables, but....anyone got any id£as..?

Many many thanks again

Bobby


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:02 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:34 am
Posts: 125
I think we've all learned a little something from your query. Thanks!

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/the321s
http://www.facebook.com/calicosounds

1983 USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe (Ivory)
2004 USA Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass (Honey Blonde)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:04 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Bobby Hill wrote:
Wow...!

Thank you all

especially Brother Dave for obvious STELLAR knowledge and JBY for amazing pics !

I was seriously starting to doubt what I had here and now I can move forward with some confidence. Going from the neckplate dating of 70's and headstock Colour/Decal I guess it sounds favourite that it HAS had a neck replacement post production dates, but most of it is/should be original mid to late 60's. The shop I bought it from DID call it a Fender 'Five' and also said it used to belong to the player from Hermans Hermits !! - which I'm now choosing to believe again..!

If we have possibly answered the neck question, can I date the body? Pots? I've never really taken it apart to look for other signs so where should I be looking.?

And finally... not meaning to sound like too much of a bread-head but, the point of this search was to identify and VALUE... I know we are talking ball parks and there are lots of variables, but....anyone got any id£as..?

Many many thanks again

Bobby


I only know of one for sale right now and it is in Rhode Island. It is a Sunburst 1967 and there is no question of the authenticity as is the case with yours. It comes with original case, etc and it is really good shape. It has factory everything including decal. The asking price is $4,500.

The one in this post though will bring significantly less since it is not original and I can NOT say for sure it is genuine without giving this thing a very close inspection.

You can date the pots by the lot code most likely, but I'd be surprised if there are any legible marks on the neck butt. To attempt to date the body you can look under the pickups and in the neck pocket, but I wouldn't hold my breath on finding anything usable. The pot codes should be useful though.

If it is genuine, the one you have would be Player Class, not Collector Class like the $4,500 one. So I figure a dealer might offer you $800 to buy it outright and then set an asking price of $2,000 but take $1,800. In a private sale you could expect about $1,500 roughly.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: What is this guitar ..?
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:44 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:53 am
Posts: 7
Sorry for slow response - busy busy...

Thanks again Brother Dave. The information and source material I've got from this forum visit has been invaluable and actually fired up my interest for hanging on to the beast maybe after all...

Weird coincidence - I've just been asked to join a Zydeco band again, which is one of the main reasons I bought it in the first place 15 years ago.........somebody trying to tell me something eh?

I'm going to keep on searching for info on this rarity and see how I go - Thanks again Fender Forum - I'll keep you posted - signing off for now

Bobby


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: